Xulhaz Mannan | Status: Murdered | Bangladesh
On April 25, 2016, unidentified assailants hacked leading gay rights activist Xulhaz Mannan to death in his Dhaka apartment. His friend and fellow gay rights activist, Tanay Mojumdar, was also… More
United States: Journalist’s Murder Requires Prompt Investigation
The horrifying murder of Texas journalist Jacinto Hernández Torres requires a prompt police investigation, including into allegations that he was killed due to his journalistic activities, said PEN America… More
Bangladesh: Publisher’s Ongoing Detention Illustrates Need for Legal Reform
The continued detention of Bangladeshi publisher Shamsuzzoha Manik is an undue restriction on freedom of expression in a current environment of extreme risk for those who express dissenting views,… More
China: Two Independent Chinese PEN Center Members Given Harsh Sentences
The sentencing of two Independent Chinese PEN Center members to lengthy prison terms for the publication of pro-democracy essays is yet another blow in the government’s crackdown on free… More
Statement to UNHRC about Free Expression Deterioriation in Bangladesh
PEN America, along with a group of leading human rights organizations, has submitted the following statement highlighting our deep concern at the decline in free expression in Bangladesh to… More
June Featured Cases: Tiananmen, 27 Years Later
This June, our three featured cases are emblematic of the harsh and varied tactics China utilizes to stifle free expression and stamp out dissent. They also represent the resiliency… More
Colombia: kidnapped journalist and author released by guerrilla
PEN is delighted to report that the veteran Spanish-Colombian journalist and author Salud Hernández-Mora was released by the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group on the afternoon of May… More
Huang Zerong (Tie Liu) | Status: Released | China
Chinese writer Huang Zerong (also known by his pen name Tie Liu) was disappeared by authorities from his Chengdu home in early May 2016. More
Myanmar: Poet Maung Saungkha Released
PEN America is delighted that poet Maung Saungkha has been released from prison today in Myanmar but is deeply concerned by remaining barriers to free expression in the country.… More
Azerbaijan: Free prisoners before Baku Grand Prix race
The Formula One Group leadership should urge the Azerbaijani government to release unjustly imprisoned activists and journalists ahead of the European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, said the Sport for… More